Ignition-circuit controller



Patented May 22, 1928.

FARNUMI. DORSEY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, COMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEWYORK, A

ASSIGNOR TO NORTH EAST ELECTRIC CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

IGNITION-CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

Application filed Kay 9, 1927. Serial Ro. 189 ,955.

This invention relates to ignition appa-' ratus of the type in which thecircuit through the primary winding of an electric ignition coil ortransformer is controlled by a vibratory circuit breaker or timer, whilethe secondary discharges of the coil are controlled by means of a'rotarycircuit controller or distributor, by which they are communicatedto thespark plugs of the several engine cylinders in the proper order.

In ignition apparatus of the type referred to, the timer and thedistributor. are usually combined in a single compact assembly, andoperated by an upright shaft driven by the mechanism of the engine. Incases where the engine has a large number of cylinders, however, orwhere it is desired to energize two spark plugs simultaneously in eachcylinder of an engine having six or more cyhnders, the number ofdistributor terminals becomes so large that it is difiicult to arrangethem in a single circle or series without rendering the distributorinconveniently large in diameter and complicated in the arrangement ofits contact members.

The object of the present invention is to produce a timer-distributorassembly in which a large number of distributor terminals may beemployed, while, at the same time, the assembly is compact inform andsimple and inexpensive in construction. To this end it is proposed todivide the distributor terminals into two or more circular series arraned side by side, and to use a plurality of rotary distributor members,geared to a single central timer shaft by which a plurality of timersmay be operated either simultaneously or successively, as the case mayrequire.

The invention is more particularly set forth in the followingdescription of the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of anignition circuit controller embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is aplan view of the apparatus, with some of the upper parts removed, andFig. 3 is a plan view of the distributor cap, on a reduced scale.

' The illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises the usualupright drive shaft 5, journalled in a stem 6 y which the apparatus maybe attached to anengme 1n the usual manner. A shell or housing 7,surmounting the stem, may contain an automatic spark advancer or timingdevice 8, of any ordinary or suitable form, although this is notessential to the present invention. Mounted on or connected with theupper end of the shaft 5 is'a' cam 9 which operates the primary circuitcontrollers or t-imers,'the latter being shown as arms 10, cooperatingwith adjustable fixed contacts 13. The timer members are supported by,and enclosed within, a metal housing 11 provided with pivot studs 12upon which the timer arms are supported. The timers may be of anyordinary .or suitable form, and the electrical connections with theother parts of the apparatus are not shown, as they will be wellunderstood by those skilled in the art.

On each side of the cam 9 an upright bearing stud 14 is fixed in thehousing 11, and upon these studs two distributor rotors 15 arejournalled, the rotors being provided, for this purpose, with hearingsleeves 16. Each rotor is provided also with a gear 17, while a pinion18, meshing with the two gears, is mounted above and concentric with thecam 9, so as to drive the rotors in timed relation with the operation ofthe cam and the timer arms. The rotor, the sleeve 16 and the gear 17 arepreferably made integrally in each case, being moulded from bakelite orsimilar insulatin material. The pinion 18 is also prefera l 7 made frommoulded insulating material, and it is shown as having a key-and-slotconnection with the cam, by which it is rotated, while freely removable,however, to afford convenient access to the timer parts beneath.

Axially above each distributor rotor is located the usual centralsecondary contact 19, and each rotor is provided with the usual contactstrip or spring 20, engaging the corresponding contact 19. Each rotor isalso provided with the usual terminal 21, adapted to cooperatesuccessively with a circular series of stationary terminals 22. Thecontacts 19 and the terminals 22 are all preferably mounted in a singlemoulded cap of suitable insulating material, and the several terminalsmay be connected in the usual manner with the spark plugs which they areto control. Near each end of the housing 11 space is afforded for acondenser 24, to cooperate in the usual manner with one of therespective pairs of timer contacts.

It will be evident that in one direction lit) greater,;.that is, than.in. the case. ot adistributon having, only eight terminals. This permitsthe apparatus to be placed close alongside the cylinder block-or otherparts of an engine,;with a compactness which is, in many cases, veryuseful.

In the illustrated apparatus the parts are arranged particularly with a,view to double ignition m. an eight cylinder eng ne,

the two timer arms being arranged, for simultaneous operation. It. willbe evident, however,, that by slight changes. im the adjustment ontiming of theparts, and. in the number of. secondary terminals in each,circle, the; apparatus may be adapted; to a variety of conditions; such,for example, as doubleignrtlon in a four or srx cyhnder; eng1ne, or

single ignition: in. an, engine of eight, twel v e or slxteen cylindersv The invention claimed is: v-

An ignition circuit: controller, comprising: a timer-cam and a pinion,coaxially supported and rotated, With the pinion located above the cam,circuit-breaker arm's actuated by: the; cam, a plurality Qt. bearingstuds fixed alongside? the cam, distributor rotors rotatable upon thebearing studs and provided witli-gears meshing with the pinv ion, andcircles of distributor terminals supported concentric with therespective distributor rotors. V r V s 21 {An ignition circui'ltcontroller 'compris: ingg, a base, an upright shaft journalled in the;base a cam anda pinion supported and rotated in said shaft,circuit-breaker arm's actuated. y the; cam, bearing studs locatedalongsidethe cainrandi fi'xed', a,t their lower ends, to, the base,distributor rotors rotatable, upon thebearing stud'sfand providedwithgears. meshingfwith thev pinion, and a cap Jot insulating material,covering the CirCUitrQOIItIiOII -ngI members and" supporting circles ofdistributor terminals concentric with the respective rotors. a

